The fascinating destination of Pu Mat
Located 120 km southwest of Vinh City, Pu Mat National Park in Con Cuong District, on the eastern slopes of the Truong Son mountain range along the Vietnam-Laos border, covers an area of 91,113 hectares. It is home to 2,494 species of higher plants, 42 species of large mammals, 20 species of small mammals, 297 species of birds, and 39 species of bats.
This area is particularly home to several rare animal and plant species that require strict conservation, such as the saola, striped rabbit, rufous-necked hornbill, and some plant species like the cypress, fir, and Hainan star tree...
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Foreign tourists on a tour to "discover" Pu Mat. |
Pù Mát has long been considered suitable for organizing customized ecotourism tours. At the end of the 2008 tourist season, there were 12,490 visitors, including 12,140 domestic tourists and 350 foreign tourists, mainly from France, Italy, and Japan. Overall, tourists were very satisfied with the design and execution of the programs.
In terms of facilities, the administrative area has a system of guesthouses with 35 rooms and 70 beds, fully equipped with amenities and equipment... especially a stilt house built in the style of traditional houses of ethnic minorities in the Western region. Here, there is also a system of conservation houses, a plant and animal gene bank, a model showcasing the entire garden, a conference hall with supporting equipment such as a projector, internet access, and a dining room...
The beauty and charm of Pu Mat lies in the fact that only by venturing deeper into the area can one fully appreciate the wondrous beauty that nature has bestowed. The Kem Waterfall, with its water cascading down from over 100 meters, appears from afar like a white silk ribbon fluttering amidst the lush green forest.
People bathe in the cool water under the waterfall, bathed in sunlight and spray, creating a stunning rainbow of colors. However, the most unique and interesting experience is traveling to Pu Mat National Park on a "2 nights, 3 days" or "4 days, 5 nights" hiking tour to visit the villages and explore the traditional lifestyles of the Thai ethnic people in the upper reaches of the Giang River.
Starting from Tan Huong village (Yen Khe), near the Moc stream... then a 5-6 hour hike up the Bu Ong slope, walking between two gently sloping hills to reach Yen Thanh village (Luc Da commune) amidst the rhythmic clicking of looms and the bustling atmosphere of traditional brocade weaving. At lunchtime, visitors can enjoy famous local specialties such as "Muong Qua rice, Giang River fish," and ethnic dishes like bamboo rice, banana porridge, catfish, grilled chicken...
In the evening, by the light of the campfire, enjoying the intoxicating rice wine, dancing the Lam Vong dance, the village's cultural troupe will bring visitors many new and exciting experiences. In the morning, boarding a boat upstream on the Giang River from Pha Lai ferry terminal, amidst the roaring sound of the outboard motor as it glides through the primeval forest, we arrive to meet the Dan Lai people in the Khe Bu and Khe Khang areas, where only about 100 households remain. The remaining households are preparing to relocate as part of a government conservation project.
From here, you can explore the Thoi Gorge to discover the peak of Pu Mat mountain, climb to the summit of Po Mu, and the Kem waterfall... to see firsthand the characteristic forest types of Pu Mat, the vast green forests, the pure stands of Po Mu and Sa Mu trees with diameters up to 4.7m. This tour also gives visitors the opportunity to explore and learn about the cultural and historical treasures preserved by the people in the buffer zone, with landmarks bearing the imprint of the formation and development of humankind, the history of nation-building and defense, such as: Oc Cave, Ma Nhai Stele, Ong Trang Cave, Tra Lan Citadel, Con Chua Banyan Tree, the house of Mr. Vi Van Khang...
According to the Pù Mát National Park Management Board, to increase Pù Mát's attractiveness to tourists and make it a highlight of the Western region at Kèm Waterfall, planning and investment attraction for tourism development are being intensified. The entire planned area of 240 hectares is divided into four zones: Zone A includes guesthouses, restaurants, and meeting facilities; Zone B includes a swimming pool, sports fields, and horse riding and racing areas; Zone C includes a system of huts and a cable car to Zone D, which is on the summit of Pơ Mu Mountain.
Currently, Da Ly Company has registered to invest in a restaurant and guesthouse project at Kem Waterfall with a total capital of approximately 30 billion VND. In addition, An Viet Company, Mai Linh Company, and others are also considering investment... Thus, with its beautiful and fascinating natural conditions and well-planned tourism development, Pu Mat National Park has become a highlight and an attractive destination for tours to the western part of Nghe An province.
Huu Nghia
